i have heard so many conflicting arguments like
it can mess with the babies electrolytes
she will fill up on water
etc
etc
my mother in law is harping on me to feed her boiled water. i dont want to, but i want others opinions.
2007-03-14 18:41:30 · 17 answers · asked by banjotrinket 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
she is 3 months, and thank you all for easing my mind;)
2007-03-14 19:09:27 · update #1
While your mother-in-law may be well-meaning, she is giving you outdated and even dangerous advice. Giving water to babies that young can cause water intoxication. If you get lucky enough, your baby will just fill up on the water and not take your breastmilk, causing her to fail to thrive when she doesn't take enough nutrients in and also causing your milk supply to go down. The AAP and WHO both recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, which means not only no baby food, but also no cereal, no juice, and even NO WATER. Breastmilk is 88% water, so there is no need to add water to your baby's diet. I put some links at the bottom in case you need some "evidence" to back up your argument the next time she starts telling you to give your baby water.
2007-03-16 03:11:34 · answer #1 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!
A few years back people thought that babies needed extra water. This has been found to be false. Babies need NOTHING but breastmilk or formula until 6 months old.
The digestive systems are only designed for that. Their little bellies are SOOO little and their calorie intake needs so high that a baby recieving water will not gain weight fast enough, feel more hungry and want to overload their bellies more.
NOTHING but breastmilk, and depending on where you live, Vitamin D supplements.
Besides, if water was truly required, how does your MIL suppose the human race managed to get past infancy for 1000's of years???
2007-03-15 01:55:17 · answer #2 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell your MIL to take a hike, or to do some reading.
Okay, I know you can't do that. What is advised has changed. When those of us having babies now were babies, moms were told that their babies would get dehydrated if they didn't get water.
Giving your baby a little bit of water now and then won't hurt her. However, your MIL had her turn to raise her babies as she felt was right. You are the mom now. There is absolutely no medical reason why a healthy baby needs water if she is breastfed, as far as I've read. Tell you MIL nicely that medical advice has changed, and you're chosing to follow current practices, and will not talk about this any further. Period.
Kellymom is the prime online resource for breastfeeding.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/baby-water.html
Dr. Jack Newman's site was recommended to me by my LC and midwives
http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=160
Dr.Sears is another fabulous resource:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t023000.asp
Hope that helps!
2007-03-15 01:55:35 · answer #3 · answered by melanie 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
you didnt say how old your baby is, but if your baby is a newborn then for 1 there is no reason yet and for two yes it can mess up their elctrolytes if they get more than 2 oz i think it is. and 3 it can make them full and not want to eat at the brest. my son was 7 months before he started having any water or jucies and now he is 10 months and still doesnt have too much.
2007-03-15 02:02:50 · answer #4 · answered by jjsoccer_18 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should not give your baby water unless he/she is about 6+ mths and drinking it out of a cup. If your baby is young like you said it could mess up her electrolytes and the baby can feel full on the water and not get the nutrition that they need to grow. Please do not listen to your MIL your baby is getting enough liquids from your milk!
2007-03-15 01:47:38 · answer #5 · answered by punkmommy-2-1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, she does not need water. All she needs is breastmilk until 6 months, minimum. There is an increased risk of water intoxication with a small infant. And yes, it can mess with electrolytes.
2007-03-15 01:45:38 · answer #6 · answered by Morning Glory 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Breast milk has fore milk and hind milk. The fore milk is mostly water and quenches baby's thirst. The hind milk is more fatty and satisfies baby's hunger. Your baby does not need water from the tap, boiled to sterilize, bottled or otherwise. And your mother-in-law has no reason to harp on you because of this. It is your baby not hers.
2007-03-15 01:50:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how old your baby is. They say exclusively breastfed babies under six months do not need anything else.
If you have started to introduce solids you might offer her some. Or you might offer her some between feeds if she think she needs it.
Only do it if you are comfortable. Don't worry about your mother in law!!
2007-03-15 01:46:18 · answer #8 · answered by hottee 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i had the same ?s for my doctor when i was breastfeeding and the answerhe gave me was the baby gets all it needs from your breastmilk. unless the doctor says there is aproblem and the baby needs more nutsion just the breastmilk is fine the water has nothing good in it for the baby it gets enough from your breastmilk.
2007-03-15 02:06:54 · answer #9 · answered by april w 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why would you give your breastfed baby water? tell your mother in law that she's dumb. your baby gets all the water she needs through nursing (it's called foremilk, the fatty hind milk is what fills her little tummy) tell your mother in law to lay off and that she doesn't know anything. please DO NOT give your baby water!
2007-03-15 02:04:34 · answer #10 · answered by daisylady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋